Marriage and family therapist, mother of 4, blended family, artist, believer of magic in the ordinary, first generation immigrant, present moment lover
Karina Valdez D’Quirino, LMFT
I have created and founded La Verdad Therapy with the vision of reaching many under the embrace and guidance of truth. Truth can be perceived as a relative concept evaded by so many and held in the eye of the beholder. But after working as a clinician and social worker for over 20 years and through my international travels, I have had the honor to witness the power of Truth in a transformative nature. Wisdom is not far by telling us that the Truth shall set you free. Truth baring requires courage, and courage requires vulnerability. I want to invite you to take the wildest journey you can imagine. A journey into yourself with open arms and ready to embrace the truth of who you were created to be.
Specialized Trainings/Certifications
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Integrative Regulation Therapy
Dignity Therapy and Grief Therapy
Domestic Violence Certification
Child Parent Psychotherapy
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Parent Child Interactive Therapy
Clinical Hypnosis
Immigration Psychosocial Evaluations
Experiences
Trauma Therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital
Diagnose, evaluate and assess, and treat mental and emotional disorders in children, adults, and families of diverse backgrounds. Provide trauma specific and trauma informed psychotherapy in a trauma informed manner and with evidence based and evidence informed models such as EMDR, TAP, TF-CBT, CPT, CPP, PCIT. Represent and engage in community meetings to collaborate, advocate, and network with community agencies to enhance client treatment and outcomes.
Clinical Social Worker at UCSD
Develop and implement a grant based program to provide in-home family therapy and facilitate a variety of groups through evidence based and trauma informed models to families that have been affected by an HIV/AIDS diagnosed family member with a history or active substance abuse. Program objective is to strengthen families and prevent child abuse by establishing protective factors within therapy and program curriculum including: nurture and attachment, parental knowledge of child development, enhancing parental resiliency, and strengthening social connections to reduce isolation.
Bilingual Trauma Therapist at Home Start, Inc.
Provide home health psychotherapeutic services by providing evidence based interventions and case management families with the main goal of preventing child abuse and/or alleviating child abuse repercussions. Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine mental and social needs and develop treatment plans specific to clients’ needs. Collaborate and develop strong community networks with outside agencies within the context of speaking engagements.
Grief Counselor at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine
Provide grief therapy to patients and families in support of social and emotional needs as they relate to the impact of a terminal illness, loss and grief. Provide diagnostic evaluations, conduct psychosocial assessments, facilitate groups, and define therapeutic goals to alleviate symptoms. Collaborate with multi disciplinary treatment team to optimize treatment outcome.
Social Worker at San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)
Responsible in identifying, assessing, and treating social, educational, physical and psychological dysfunction among referees and clients. Interview, investigate and employ other data gathering methods to acquire diagnostic information from clients. Follow up on client’s progress and evaluate treatment plans. Recommend placement facilities and develop service plans.
La Verdad Therapy 